Hughes, David Edward (1830-1900). A.L.s. to an unidentified recipient, possibly Latimer Clark. Paris, October 1, 1860. 2pp. 206 x 133 mm. Holes punched in upper margin, with tears at holes, remains of mounting present. Provenance: Latimer Clark. Hughes, an inventor and experimental researcher in electricity and magnetism, is best known for his invention of the microphone in 1878. His first successful invention was an improvement of R. E. House's automatic printing telegraph (1846); completed in 1855, Hughes's device was quickly adopted in both America and Europe. In 1860 the French government purchased Hughes's automatic telegraph for use on their lines. The present letter discusses its installation: "I have just returned from Bordeaux where I have been to give the necessary instructions to work my Inst[rument]. from there to Paris (distance 5.75 kilometres) and the line is now working first rate with my Inst. They have not yet commenced transmitting the regular business merely sending old messages for practice. I think they intend commencing tomorrow as they are sufficiently advanced to do it well. . . . "The Insts. we have now are not very good being very badly made but they answer well enough for demonstration. The new Insts. of Mr. Fremont will be finished in about 2 weeks. They will take the place of the old ones. Then I shall be at liberty to bring them to England and they will be at your disposal if you wish it. . . ." Origins of Cyberspace 162 . Seller Inventory # 40738

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Autograph letter signed, probably to Latimer...

Publication Date: 1860

Condition: Very Good

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